5/24/10

Perhaps you remember the days when a "priest, a minister and a rabbi" would be invited to civic events and each would be invited to pray in his own faith's fashion and vocabulary. That's seldom the case now when it's more likely that only one clergy-person is invited and asked to offer a prayer.

Here's the prayer I will use on Memorial Day at one of Concord's several town observances of the holiday. Because people of many faiths will be present, I have written the prayer to be as inclusive as possible. On the same day my parish will celebrate Mass in our cemetery praying (in our Catholic voice and ritual) for those who are buried there and for all who have gone before us.

Let us pray...Memorial Day Prayer

In the quiet sanctuaries of our own hearts,let each of us name and call on the One whose power over us is great and gentle, firm and forgiving, holy and healing…

You who created us, who sustain us, who call us to live in peace, hear our prayer this day.

Hear our prayer for all who have died, whose hearts and hopes are known to you alone…

Hear our prayer for those who put the welfare of othersahead of their own and give us hearts as generous as theirs…

Hear our prayer for those who gave their livesin the service of others, and accept the gift of their sacrifice…

Help us to shape and make a world where we will lay down the arms of war and turn our swords into ploughsharesfor a harvest of justice and peace…

Comfort those who grieve the loss of their loved ones and let your healing be the hope in our hearts...

Hear our prayer this day and in your mercy answer us in the name of all that is holy.

6 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Thank you and the Holy Family Parish for the upcoming Memorial Day Mass being celebrated at, I assume, St. Bernard's Cemetery. I reside far from the Concord area however my parents and grandparents are at rest in St. B's. I will take a moment to "participate" via silent prayer with you on Monday. It makes me feel good knowing someone is "visiting" them. That the visit is for a Mass in their midst would mean so much to them.

Yes, the Mass on Memorial Day will be celebrated at St. Bernard Cemetery in Concord, MA.

I usually refrain from publishing "parish news" on my blog since my readership is much wider than my parish and parish information is available through the Sunday bulletin and the parish website.

But this comment caused me to think of inviting all my readers to visit a cemetery on Memorial Day, knowing that many, including those who have gone before us, will be appreciativeof our stopping, visiting and praying on this day...

Thank you, Austin, for this prayer/poem. I grew up on the grounds of a veterans hospital; my father, a veteran, served as the administrator. The Memorial Day holiday has always been one most dear to each in our family, and the message we learned was about our shared opportunity to serve toward justice and peace. I am grateful for your focus - enjoy the weekend marking this reminder -

Thank you, brother for this prayer. I am a United Methodist pastor and my new parish gives a larger place in worship for Memorial Day than I am used to giving. I have searched for words that honor those who have given their lives and our desire that the Kingdom may come and God's will be done on earth as in heaven. Your prayer has planted the seeds I have been looking for.

God bless you, Fr. Fleming, for listening to the Holy Spirit and creating a beautiful prayer to honor those who have given their lives for this country.

Thank you for the idea of offering Mass within the setting of a cemetery. How appropriate on Memorial Day! I will pass this idea on to my pastor, Fr. Tom Kreiser of St. Gregory Barbarigo in Garnerville, NY, and several other priests.

WORD FOR THE WEEKEND 3/8

Click on the bible for this coming Sunday's readings and some notes to help you understand them.

A Blessing for Lent

Click above for a sung Lenten blessing

Lent 2015

For a pocket cross with this scripture verse, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to Concord Pastor, 55 Church Street, Concord, MA 01742

Music for Winter Prayer

(Click on the image for a prayer)

href="http://ekaterinasfluff.com/album/the-keys-of-e">The Keys of E by Ekaterina

A daily prayer

A song and prayer for Lent

I need a clean heart this Lent, Lord, so in these 40 days I pray you'll: sweep, dust, cleanse, mend, repair, forgive, purify and strengthen this heart of mine... And because I need a new spirit within me, Lord, I pray you'll: renew my listless spirit, lift up my drooping spirit, rekindle my burned-out spirit, open up my selfish spirit, refresh my failing spirit, energize my tired spirit, pardon my sinful spirit and put a right spirit within me, within this heart of mine...

Are you thinking about becoming a Catholic?

The best place to start is always one of your local Catholic churches. Drop in some Sunday and see what's going on. Then you might speak to the pastor or someone on the parish staff about how they can help you and respond to your questions.